Pellegrino 'Rino' DeStasi

             Pellegrino “Rino” Mario DeStasi, 87, of Watertown, Massachusetts, passed away at his home on January 18, 2021. Beloved husband of Mary (Parrella) DeStasi, and loving father to Gregory DeStasi and his wife Linda of Kyle TX, Paul DeStasi and his wife Penny of Australia, Lynne Derian and her husband Tom of
Wilmington, Gary DeStasi & his wife Kim of Winchendon. Adoring "Grandpa” and “Papa” to 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Rino will also be lovingly remembered by his dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his cherished parents, Luca and Francis Bossi
and his infant son, G. Francis DeStasi.

           Rino retired from a long career with Polaroid Corporation, after more than 30 years. For much of that time he was a Mechanic Supervisor, mentoring numerous young mechanics along the way. However, later in his career he was honored to join Polaroid’s UNICEF Team, and years later, would proudly speak
of his great work while serving on that team.
          Rino was a proud U.S. Air Force Combat Veteran, serving as a radio operator on bombing flight missions in the Korean War. Like so many Veterans, throughout most of his lifetime, Rino did not speak of his time in combat. In fact, he only recently began sharing stories with his family.
           Rino loved spending time on the links and was an avid golfer. Besides spending time with his loving family, the golf course was his favorite place to be.
          Rino devoted himself to his family and was immensely proud of each and every one, and in turn, his family was and always will be so proud of him. Rino will be most dearly missed and forever remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend.

            Family and friends are welcome as we gather to honor and celebrate Rino’s life. Visiting hours in the Nardone Funeral Home, 373 Main Street, WATERTOWN, and will be held on Thursday, January 21, from 3:00-5:00 PM, and again on Friday, January 22, at 9:00 AM, followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Church. Burial with Military Honors in Ridgelawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Good Shepherd Community Care, 90 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459.

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